The Paraguay national football team has given World Cup holders Italy something to think about by holding Italy to a 1-1 draw in a competitive Group F match played on Monday evening.
The Defending Champions looked to be doing casual duty working for their usual slim wins. Italy begun as usual looking unimpressive but in control in much of the first half until Paraguay shocked the hell into the Italians. In the 39th minute, Antolin Alcaraz rose over the Italian defense to head in the free kick and send Paraguay in a shock 1-0 lead.
The first half ended without any clear indication from Italy they were about to overcome the deficit. But the Azurri did come back with more purpose and were rewarded for their pressure when Daniele De Rossi equalized in the 63rd minute, stabbing home from close range after Paraguayan keeper Justo Villar missed to cut out a Simone Pepe corner.
The Italians celebrated hard as if they had scored a winner, but the relief of coming from a goal down was good enough reason and coach Marcello Lippi brought several substitutes to have a better result, but the Paraguay team held on to keep the result level.
Paraguay are the happier with the result, though Italy will not be over concerned on gaining points from Slovenia and new Zealand, their other competitors in Group F.
See Results of matches so far played at FIFA 2010 World Cup
Italy 1- 1 Paraguay
